VARTA AG in talks with Porsche about investment in V4Drive business

VARTA AG is currently in negotiations with Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG ("Porsche") regarding a possible investment by Porsche in the business unit for large-format lithium-ion round cells (V4Drive) by means of a majority shareholding in V4Drive Battery GmbH, a wholly-owned subsidiary of VARTA AG. VARTA AG and Porsche have already entered into a non-binding term sheet and the parties are in the first phase of agreeing on the documentation for such a transaction. In the run-up to the implementation of Porsche's investment, it is planned in a first step to transfer VARTA's V4Drive business to V4Drive Battery GmbH and then to have Porsche participate via a capital increase. Whether Porsche will actually make a corresponding investment depends on various factors, including the successful completion of a due diligence review currently being carried out by Porsche and the approval of certain stakeholders of the VARTA Group. Whether Porsche will carry out an investment is currently still open.

The ongoing process of updating the existing IDW-S6 expert opinion and possible adjustments or further restructuring and subsequent financing measures communicated on April 11, 2024 has not yet been completed. The company is still in the process of developing options with regard to potential recapitalization and financing measures.

About VARTA AG in Ellwangen

VARTA AG manufactures and markets a comprehensive range of batteries, from microbatteries and household batteries to energy storage systems and customized battery solutions for a wide range of industrial and commercial applications. Through intensive research and development, VARTA AG sets global standards in lithium-ion technology and microbatteries and is recognized as an innovation leader in key growth markets, particularly in lithium-ion cells and primary hearing aid batteries. With over 3,500 employees, five production and manufacturing facilities in Europe and Asia, and sales locations in Europe, Asia and the USA, VARTA AG's operating companies are now active in more than 100 countries.
Based on years of technological experience, VARTA AG has comprehensive expertise across the entire development and production process for battery solutions. VARTA AG can develop almost any customer- or application-specific battery architecture and acts as a strong sparring partner for industry, SMEs and OEMs in the early engineering and design phases. In addition to this in-depth development and integration expertise, VARTA AG has mastered the scalable industrial series production of sophisticated battery solutions, combining technological innovation with a high degree of vertical integration and global delivery capability.